CCP issues interim order against deceptive TV commercial

ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has issued an interim order directing a homeopathic doctor in Lahore to immediately stop his deceptive TV commercial being aired on various channels making absolute claims to treat various diseases.

According to the CCP’s statement issued here on Friday, they initiated an inquiry against Al-Haaj Dr Mian Liaquat Ali of Liaquat Hospital Lahore after receiving complaints that they were allegedly involved in deceptive marketing practices through television commercial in violation of Section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010. The CCP also contacted Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and College of Surgeons and Physicians in this regard.

As per inquiry report, Liaquat Ali used the term “Doctor” instead of “Homeopathic Doctor” with his name thus resorting to deceptive marketing practices. Moreover, he made absolute claims in his TV commercials that he could cure diseases like Hepatitis A, B and C, diabetes, obesity, dandruff and vitiligo or Phul-Behri, and could guarantee birth of son. He also offered treatment to people on telephone.

Based on findings of the inquiry report, show-cause notices were issued to the respondent. During the hearings, Liaquat Ali’s lawyer assured the Commission of making suitable alteration in the TV commercial of his client to address CCP’s concerns but no revised TV commercial had been submitted till date. Moreover, since the last hearing, the respondents have started airing the TV commercials on other channels in different languages. In process of the hearings, CCP is further investigating the authenticity of his claims to cure various chronic diseases.

During the hearing on January 15, 2015, a bench of the Commission comprising of Vadiyya Khalil, chairperson, Dr Shehzad Ansar, Dr Joseph Wilson and Ikramul Haque Qureshi, members, issued an interim order directing to immediately stop airing the TVC in any language and on all channels till the conclusion of proceedings and file written commitment and compliance report with the registrar of the Commission within fifteen days from the issuance of this order.